October 18th, 2017:

The Megaliths of the Bario Highlands

October 17, 2017

During my many visits to the Bario Highlands in northern Sarawak, I always love trekking and exploring this beautiful place as there is so much nature to absorb. At some of the trekking trails, you will come across massive man made stone structures or even stone carvings.

The man made structures or carvings are called Megaliths, which date back thousands of years and is an incredible sight when you stand next to them. One of the most popular megaliths is known locally as Batu Ritong, a strange rock structure which was clearly created by man.

Batu Ritong (Ritong Stone)

Who put it there? How was it put, no one seems to know. I have visited Batu Ritong two times in the last couple of years, and on both occasions, different experienced guides could not give me an accurate explanation to this phenomenal structure.

Locals claim that this is actually a burial ground for a Kelabit nobleman named Ritong hundreds of years ago. The site was excavated in 1962 by British soldier Tom Harrison, and originally, it was standing straight upright. But over the years, Batu Ritong has slanted to a 45 degree angle.

One one of my trips, I spoke to a team of international university students who were there to study thee megaliths, and one of them has told me that there were in fact over 800 megaliths, large and small found all over the highlands area. Only a handful of them are being studied and till this very day, the answer is still not conclusive.

The size of the Batu Ritong with a trekker next to it

When you visit the Bario Highlands, make sure you ask the local guides about a trek to any of the megaliths as it will surely give you a sense of mystery. The famous ones are the Batu Narit which is a huge boulder with strange carvings on it and the other is Batu Ritong, a 4-5 hour trek from Bario to Pa Lungan village. Bario is accessible via Miri using MasWings flight.

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Themed “The Great LEGO® Race”, the Refreshed Ride Will Immerse Families in a New Exhilarating Experience Together

Artist’s impression of The Great LEGO Race entrance at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort.

Ready, Set, LEGO®! Prepare to embark on the wildest LEGO ride as LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort will be the world’s first LEGOLAND Park to launch the LEGO virtual reality roller coaster in November 2017, followed by LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort in 2018.

Combining cutting-edge virtual reality technology with roller coaster thrills, the new attraction was developed under the supervision of Merlin Magic Making – the company’s global creative division that designs and develops attractions for Merlin sites around the world. The Great LEGO Race will transform three existing “Project X” roller coasters into an exciting, high-octane experience that puts kids and parents alike in the driver’s seat and asks, “Are you brave enough to face, race and beat the best of the best in all of LEGO world?”

The Great LEGO Race was inspired by the way kids play with LEGO toys at home. It’s a unique LEGO adventure that lets kids enter an epic imaginary world made entirely from LEGO bricks, featuring a host of different themes and fun LEGO characters, all mixed up together.

Featuring a colorful lineup of racers drawn from the ranks of the popular LEGO Minifigure mystery assortments, The Great LEGO Race builds a universe of imagination that will unleash the inner child of everyone. It pits riders in a rollicking race against wild, brick-built contraptions driven by Trendsetter, Pharaoh, Surfer Girl, Wizard and Pirate Captain, including a rocket-powered surfboard and a stylish scooter fueled by espresso. Wearing VR headsets, guests will experience the action from every direction – up, down, forward, backward and all points in between – in a spectacular environment completely made of LEGO bricks.

LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort are honoured to be the first LEGOLAND Park to launch this experience in the world. This November’s launch will further testify to that commitment as guests visiting LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort will be among the first in the world to embark on The Great LEGO Race and lose themselves in a virtual world with captivating storyline suitable for adults and children alike.

Still image of LEGO® Virtual Reality Roller Coaster, The Great LEGO race

The adventure begins the moment guests approach the ride’s bold new entry portal enveloped in the sounds of roaring engines fill the air. Nearby, the coaster’s queue will resemble a pre-race space where pit crews for each of the five LEGO racers prepare for the competition, including interactive and hands-on elements to entertain riders in the queue.

During the ride, Bluetooth technology will sync the virtual visuals with the roller coaster’s twists, turns, drops and climbs, creating an all-new experience filled with thrills, spills, surprises and humor – done in LEGOLAND’s brilliance.

The Great LEGO Race can be ride with or without the VR headset, and is suitable for children ages 6 and up.

For further information on promotions and activities, visit LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort’s official website www.legoland.com.my